Automatic jet-action swimming pool cleaner attachment device

ABSTRACT

A device for attachment to the bottom drain of swimming pools is described, comprising a cylindrical housing structure seatable and securable over the drain and having a plurality of radially outwardly extending flexible tubes. Operation is effected by directing the inlet flow of pool water in the filtering circulatory system to the bottom drain, whereat it passes under pressure through the housing structure to discharge at the open ends of the tubes with jet action. The resulting whipping about of the tubes at the bottom of the pool serves to maintain dirt particles in suspension for automatic removal by the filtering apparatus instead of settling as dirt and sludge.

United States Patent Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, .lr. Attorney-EmestH. Schmidt ABSTRACT: A device for attachment to the bottom drain ofswimming pools is described, comprising a cylindrical housing structureseatable and securable over the drain and having a plurality of radiallyoutwardly extending flexible tubes. Operation is effected by directingthe inlet flow of pool water in the filtering circulatory system to thebottom drain, whereat it passes under pressure through the housingstructure to discharge at the open endsof the tubes with jet action. Theresulting whipping about of the tubes at the bottom of the pool servesto maintain dirt particles in suspension for automatic removal by thefiltering apparatus instead of settling as dirt and sludge.

PATENTEDmsmnsn 3,598 132 5 l/Vl/E/UTOK ELDON s. MILLER 5X Q M 5MTTOF-WUEX AUTOMATIC JET-ACTION SWIMMING POOL CLEANER ATTACHMENT DEVICEMy invention relates to swimming pools of the type having a built-inwater purifying circulatory system including a pump and filter, and isdirected particularly to an attachment device for use in associationwith such pool circulatory systems and operative to continuously agitatethe water at the bottom of the pool to prevent sedimentation of dirt andsludge.

In presently installed swimming pools, whether of large size forcommercial use or of smaller size as commonly used in residentialbackyard installation, it is common practice to provide a watercirculation system including a pump and filter for removing solidparticles of dirt, etc., including solid chemical compounds orprecipitates formed by chemicals added from time to time to the waterfor purification, i.e., to maintain the water at a low bacteria levelsafe for swimming. In such systems, water is drained from the upperlevel of the pool to collect surface dirt along with suspended dirt orforeign particles, fed through the filter to remove the dirt and clarifythe water, and returned, usually through one or more jetlike openingsdistributed around the inside of the pool in such a manner as to createa circulatory flow of the water in the pool for more efficient filteringaction. A large drain is also built into the bottom of the pool andpiped to the pump with provision for alternative connection to the inputof the pump for pumping through a drainage conduit when it becomesnecessary to empty the pool. While such pump and filter circulatorysystems have proved to be most satisfactory when properly used togetherwith a program of chemical treatment, to maintain pool water in a clearand pure condition for safe and enjoyable swimming, they are deficientin that, no matter how good the filtering action, there is always asettling of heavy dirt particles to the bottom of the pool which must bemanually cleaned periodically, usually by means of a water vacuum deviceoperated from the input of the pool circulatory system by connection,for example, to the pool skimmer input port.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to eliminateor substantially eliminate the accumulation of dirt and sludge at thebottom of swimming pools of the character described by the provision ofwater agitation means at the bottom of a pool operated by thecirculatory system and operative to maintain heavier dirt particles insuspension for removal by the pool filter, thereby eliminating the needfor periodically vacuuming the pool bottom.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a swimmingpool cleaner attachment device of the character described including acylindrical housing member adapted to be attached in enclosing relationover the main drain at the bottom of the pool and having a plurality ofthin-walled, sidewardly extending turbulence tubes communicating withthe interior of the housing member and operative, when the bottom drainconduit is connected with the output of the pump filter system insteadof or in addition to the poolside input openings, to oscillate and towhip about aimlessly in reaction to jetstreams projecting from the freeends of the tubes, thereby keeping the water at the bottom of the poolin a continuous state of agitation to prevent settling and encouragefiltering.

Yet another object is to provide an attachment device of the abovenature which can readily be attached to the usual main drain of anautomatic pool pump and filter system and which will be automaticallycontrolled by the pumping action thereof.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the above naturewhich will be low in cost, simple in structure and operation, and longwearing in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings,

' wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughoutthe several views:

FIG. I is a plan view of a swimming pool equipped with a pool-cleaningdevice embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the pool bottom illustratedin FIG. 1, showing the pool-cleaning device on an enlarged scale withportions broken away to reveal constructional details;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cleaning attachmentdevice taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale andillustrating the mechanical details including the mechanism forattachment to a swimming pool bottom drain;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the piping of a typical swimming poolpump and filter system, modified to provide for circulating water inputflow through the bottom drain for operation of the pool-cleaningattachment device comprising the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral 10designates, generally, a pool-cleaning attachment device embodying theinvention, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as being attached for useupon a typical bottom drain cup II imbedded in the bottom 12 of aswimming pool 13 with its circular upper edge 14 substantially flushwith the pool bottom (see FIG. 3). The imbedded sidewall of the draincup 11 is provided with an opening communicating through conduit IS withthe pump and filter circulatory system in the manner and for the purposehereinbelow more particularly described. The drain cup 11, typically, isformed at its upper end with a shallow annular recess 16 which normallyseats a perforated circular cover plate (not illustrated) substitutedfor by the poolcleaning attachment device embodying the invention, nextto be described in detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pool-cleaning device I0 comprises ashallow, cylindrical housing member 17 integrally formed of die-castmetal or of a molded tough, rigid, synthetic plastic material, forexample. The housing member I7 is formed with a short, cylindricalsidewall portion 18 merging at its upper end with an upper end wallportion I9 having a central opening 20 defined by an upwardly curved,peripheral lip 21. The interior surface of the lip 21 provides arounded, circular seat for a lightweight check valve ball 22, such as apingpong ball, preventing the escape of water under pressure suppliedthrough conduit l5 and into the interior of the device 10.

Means is provided for attaching the pool-cleaning device I0 with respectto the drain cup II so that the lower end of its sidewall portion 18 isfirmly seated against the annular recess 16 of said drain cup, thediameters thereof being substantially the same. To this end, theinterior of the housing member sidewall portion 18 is integrally formedwith an inwardly projecting annular flange 23, the underside of whichhas a con centric, downwardly directed annular boss 24 slightly spacedwith respect to the interior surface of the said sidewall portion toprovide a downwardly directed narrow slot 25. Retained within the slot25 is an outwardly projecting, resilient sealing ring 26 of rubber,neoprene or the like, the outer edge of which is adapted to contactinterior surface portions of the annular recess 16 of the drain cup IIto prevent water leakage under pressure, as is hereinbelow described.

As is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper surface of theannular flange 23 is formed, at four equidistantly spaced intervalsthereabout, with pairs of opposed, curved, upwardly extending sidewallportions 27, 28 defining therebetween an upwardly directed, semicircularseat 29 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. As means forstrengthening the seats 29, each seat has integrally formed therebelow atriangular rib 30 extending between the annular flange 23 and theannular boss 24.

The pool-cleaning device attachment means further comprises an anchorcrossmember 31 having a central, cylindrical collar 32, preferably ofmetal, welded or otherwise affixed about the outer peripheral wallwhereof are four radially outwardly extending, equidistantly spacedsupport rods 33 of such length and diameter as to be seata ble, one eachat their outer ends, in the semicircular seats 29 of the housing memberI7 when assembled thereto. The collar 32 has a central opening 34received within and extending downwardly with respect to which is aheaded attachment machine screw 35. The downwardly extending end of themachine screw 35 is threadable in an anchor nut 36 having a plurality(four in the illustrated embodiment) of radially outwardly extending,equidistantly peripherally spaced threaded anchor lugs 37 (see H08. 3and 4). The threaded anchor lugs 37 are threadingly received ininternally threaded, elongated adjusting nuts 38, conically pointed attheir outer ends, as indicated at 39, and having hexagonal body portions40 at their inner ends to facilitate turning with a wrench uponinstallation.

To install the pool-cleaning device [0, the assembly comprising theanchor nut 36, its anchor lugs 37 and the adjusting nuts 38 will bepositioned horizontally within the drain cup 11 and secured thereat byturning said adjusting nuts so that their conically pointed outer ends39 jam or bite into interior wall portions of said drain cup (see FIGS.3 and 4). The housing member 17, together with the anchor crossmember 31assembled thereto as described above, will then be positioned in placeupon the drain cup I], and the headed attachment machine screw 35screwed in place with respect to the anchor nut 36 affixed within saiddrain cup as described above. It will be noted that, in attaching thehousing member 17 in place, a screwdriver will be inserted through thecentral top opening 20 to turn the attachment screw 35, the check valveball 22 being readily displaceable for this purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the sidewall portion l8of the housing member 17 is provided with a plurality of equidistantlyperipherally spaced openings 50 (eight in the embodiment illustrated)secured within each of which,

I as by headed friction plug tubes 52, is an outwardly projecting,

thin-walled, flexible tube 51.

Referring now toFlG. 6, illustrating, schematically, a typical pump andfilter circulatory system utilized with the swimming pool 12, it will beseen that the conduit leading from the pool bottom drain connectsthrough a shutoff valve 41 to the input of a pool filter 43. The outputof the filter 43 extends through a conduit 44 into an inlet opening 44ain the side of the pool 12 to return the filtered water thereto.Discharge or outlet water from the pool is ordinarily taken through askimmer device 46a at the top of the pool water and pumped throughconduit 46 and shutoff valve 47 to the input of the pump 42. In order toeffect water input flow to the pool through the bottom drain, the poolcirculatory system is provided with a bypass comprising a conduit 48having a series shutoff valve 49 communicating between the output of thefilter 43 and the drain conduit 15. Thus, in order to effect return ofthe filtered water from the filter circulatory system through the bottomdrain 11 instead of or in addition to ordinary return through the inletport or ports 44a built into the sidewall of the pool, it is onlynecessary to close the shutoff valve 41 leading from the conduit 15 tothe pump 42, open the shutoff valve 49 in the bypass conduit 48 andclose or partially close the shutoff valve 45 in the conduit 44 leadingto the swimming pool side inlet port or ports 44a. By such control ofthe various above-described shutoff valves in the circulatory system, itwill be seen that filtered water under pressure from the filter 43can'be applied to the drain cup 11 and thus to the interior of thehousing member 17 attached thereto as described above. When so operated,since the buoyancy of the check valve ball 22 will result in its lodgingitself in the seat provided at the central opening 20, full pressurewill be applied to the interior of the housing member 14 to force thepumped water through the thin-walled flexible tubes 51. As abovedescribed, the jet action of water projecting from the outer open endsof the flexible tubes 51 serves to whip them about at the bottom of thepool, as illustrated by the broken line representations thereof in FIG.I, to maintain the pool water in the vicinity of the bottom surface ofthe pool in a continuous state of agitation. Such agitation will preventsedimentation of heavy particles and bring into suspension dirtparticles or sludge which may have settled during periods? nonoperationof the circulatory system, thereby ensuring its circulation with thepumped water for removal by the filter.

While I have illustrated and described herein a jet actionpool-bottom-cleaning device having eight flexible tubes 51, it is to beunderstood that a smaller or greater number could also be used, or adifferent peripheral distribution thereof, could be used to bestaccommodate to the sedimentation pattern of the particular poolinstallation with which the device is to be used. Additionally, it iscontemplated that in installations where there is a tendency for dirt toaccumulate in areas very close to the device [0, additional openingscould be provided in the housing member equipped with short,appropriately sized and directed nozzle members or the like for applyingsweeping streams of water to such areas. My invention, in brief,comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within the scopeand spirit of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device for use with swimming poolshaving a forced-flow filter circulatory system including a bottom drain,comprising, in combination, a housing member defining an interiorpressure chamber and having a peripheral sidewall, means for attachingsaid housing member in relatively fixed relation with respect to aswimming pool bottom drain so that the drain is in communication withsaid housing chamber with said peripheral sidewall above the poolbottom, and a plurality of flexible tubes connected at one end each to alike plurality of openings in said housing member for communication withthe interior pressure chamber thereof, whereby when filter circulatorysystem pool water is fed under pressure to the bottom drain, it willpass through the outer ends of said tubes with jet action impartingrandom movement thereto at the bottom of the pool.

2. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 1,including a check valve in said housing member operative to permit theunimpeded flow of pool water therethrough into said housing member fordrainage through the pool drain upon reversal of flow under pressuretherethrough.

3. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 2,wherein said housing member is cylindrical in shape and has an upper endwall, said check valve comprising an opening in said upper end walldefining a circular valve seat and a buoyant ball valve member in saidhousing chamber and seatable with respect to said valve seat.

4. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 1,wherein said housing member is cylindrical in shape and is provided withan upper end wall, said attachment means comprising an internallythreaded anchor nut and means for removably and adjustably securing saidanchor nut at a central position within the bottom drain with its threadaxis extending substantially in the vertical direction, a headedattachment screw, and means including a centrally apertured collar insaid housing member through which said attachment screw extends forcentrally supporting said attachment screw in depending relation forthreaded reception in said anchor nut.

5. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 4,including a check valve in said housing member operative to permit theunimpeded flow of pool water therethrough and into said housing memberfor drainage through the pool drain upon reversal of flow under pressuretherethrough, said check valve comprising a central opening in saidupper end wall defining a circular valve seat, a buoyant ball valvemember in said housing chamber and seatable with respect to said valveseat, said attachment screw being in vertical alignment with saidopening to permit access therethrough for turning said attachment screw.

6. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 5,wherein said attachment-screw-supporting means comprises a plurality ofsupport rods extending radially outward of said collar, and a likeplurality of semicircular seats exteriding inwardly and beingdirect e diwardly with respect to the peripheral interior of said housing memberfor removably seating respective end portions of said rods.

1. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device for use with swimming poolshaving a forced-flow filter circulatory system including a bottom drain,comprising, in combination, a housing member defining an interiorpressure chamber and having a peripheral sidewall, means for attachingsaid housing member in relatively fixed relation with respect to aswimming pool bottom drain so that the drain is in communication withsaid housing chamber with said peripheral sidewall above the poolbottom, and a plurality of flexible tubes connected at one end each to alike plurality of openings in said housing member for communication withthe interior pressure chamber thereof, whereby when filter circulatorysystem pool water is fed under pressure to the bottom drain, it willpass through the outer ends of said tubes with jet action impartingrandom movement thereto at the botTom of the pool.
 2. A swimming poolcleaner attachment device as defined in claim 1, including a check valvein said housing member operative to permit the unimpeded flow of poolwater therethrough into said housing member for drainage through thepool drain upon reversal of flow under pressure therethrough.
 3. Aswimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid housing member is cylindrical in shape and has an upper end wall,said check valve comprising an opening in said upper end wall defining acircular valve seat and a buoyant ball valve member in said housingchamber and seatable with respect to said valve seat.
 4. A swimming poolcleaner attachment device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housingmember is cylindrical in shape and is provided with an upper end wall,said attachment means comprising an internally threaded anchor nut andmeans for removably and adjustably securing said anchor nut at a centralposition within the bottom drain with its thread axis extendingsubstantially in the vertical direction, a headed attachment screw, andmeans including a centrally apertured collar in said housing memberthrough which said attachment screw extends for centrally supportingsaid attachment screw in depending relation for threaded reception insaid anchor nut.
 5. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as definedin claim 4, including a check valve in said housing member operative topermit the unimpeded flow of pool water therethrough and into saidhousing member for drainage through the pool drain upon reversal of flowunder pressure therethrough, said check valve comprising a centralopening in said upper end wall defining a circular valve seat, a buoyantball valve member in said housing chamber and seatable with respect tosaid valve seat, said attachment screw being in vertical alignment withsaid opening to permit access therethrough for turning said attachmentscrew.
 6. A swimming pool cleaner attachment device as defined in claim5, wherein said attachment-screw-supporting means comprises a pluralityof support rods extending radially outward of said collar, and a likeplurality of semicircular seats extending inwardly and being directedupwardly with respect to the peripheral interior of said housing memberfor removably seating respective end portions of said rods.